Monday, December 29, 2008

What did happened at MBR last year? Well, we joined the Facebook crowd. Come check us out, get the latest MBR news and some exclusive Facebook content.

Most Commented:8 Comments: 1/20/2008: Since It's So Cold Out, Let's Talk About Snowshoes - a post about New Glarus' Snowshoe Red Ale and labels turned out some great commentary on where to buy beer around town8 Comments: 9/12/2008: Audience Participation: Beer Cocktails - from the disgusting Bud Light Chelada to Brasserie V's sophisticated Beer Floats and everything in between draws a great discussion7 Comments: 10/15/2008: How To Sell Beer For $700 A Bottle - an article looking at labels and marketing and pricing in the wine industry and how little things turn into big bucks turned into a fascinating discussion between drinkers, brewers and retailers about labeling and pricing and the agriculture and consuming culture of beer7 Comments: 3/14/2008: Audience Participation - Random Beer - A recommendation from Brennan's turns into a lively discussion on that beer that in retrospect we wonder how we ever came across it (Coors Arctic Ice?!)7 Comments: 2/1/2008: I Really Want To Like JT Whitneys - Pent up frustration over the inconsistent quality at JT Whitneys Brewpub brings in quite a few "me too"s from the gallery and some great comments from ex-brewery staff

Least Sagacious Post2/4/2008 - This Imperial Post - a post praising the fact that "Thankfully Wisconsin breweries are mostly free of the habits of others to develop 'imperial' version of beers that are in no way 'big' beers." Only to have a number of Wisconsin breweries turn around and produce "imperial" wheat beers, "imperial" alts, "imperial" rye porters, "imperial" saisons, and others. In the exact same post I lamented the fact that Stone Brewing Company was not available in Wisconsin.Then, later in the year, to much fanfare, Stone's beer became available here.

Most Sagacious Post7/9/2008 - Drinkability - The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel had run an article about Stevens Point Brewery and mis-applied the definition of "drinkability" - and we drew the distinction between "drinkability" (do you want another one) and "sessionability" (do you want another one right now) and talked about how low drinkability is not necessarily a bad thing and high sessionability is not necessarily a good thing; little did I know that Budweiser would soon take this same misapplication to a whole new level.

Biggest Industry News of the Year5/29/2008 - Anheuser-Busch is purchased by InBev. While this doesn't seem to have much impact on the craft industry, it will, in all likelihood, actually end up being good for craft brewers as InBev will turn Budweiser into more of a global brand with less particular emphasis on the United States market, thus opening up some marketing room for the craft industry.